In a fresh embarrassment for Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir have come under severe ridicule for circulating a doctored image during celebrations of their Operation Bunyan al-Marsus against India. The photo, which shows the two leaders proudly holding a framed picture, was exposed as a manipulated version of a 2019 Chinese military drill image.
This altered photo was reportedly gifted by Sharif to Munir during a high-profile dinner honoring the Pakistani military’s patriotic spirit and resolve. The event, attended by senior officials including President Asif Ali Zardari, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani, intended to boost morale but instead triggered widespread social media mockery.
Online users quickly identified the original image from the 2019 Chinese exercise, highlighting the striking resemblance and accusing the leadership of fabricating evidence to glorify their military operation. The incident has fueled skepticism about the authenticity of Pakistan’s claims related to Operation Bunyan al-Marsus and cast doubts over the credibility of its military narratives.
Pakistan’s political and military leadership have faced repeated criticism for promoting misleading stories about their actions against India. Social media communities have consistently challenged these falsehoods by providing factual evidence that contradicts official statements.
So far, no formal response or clarification has come from the Pakistani government regarding the controversy surrounding the photo. This episode follows India’s recent success in Operation Sindoor, launched as a retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in 26 deaths, including a foreign tourist.
The photo controversy deepens concerns about Pakistan’s transparency in its military affairs and continues to erode trust in its public declarations on sensitive national security issues.
